Business Editors

SILVER SPRING, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 18, 2003--Discovery Communications, Inc. (DCI), the leading real-world media and entertainment company and CANALSATELLITE, France's premier satellite TV platform, signed an agreement today for the exclusive DTH broadcast of nonfiction flagship Discovery Channel in France. Discovery Channel will launch to CANALSATELLITE's 2.6 million subscribers in fall 2004. Judith A. McHale, President and Chief Operating Officer, DCI and Isabelle Parize, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, CANALSATELLITE, made the announcement.

"The launch of Discovery Channel on CANALSATELLITE represents an important expansion of our European business," said McHale. "CANALSATELLITE's reach and leading position within the French media landscape make them the ideal partner to bring a tailored 24-hour Discovery Channel for the first time to millions of viewers throughout the country."

"Discovery Channel is a prominent addition to an already unrivalled factual entertainment and documentaries package offered by CANALSATELLITE," explained Parize. "I am delighted to bring our subscribers exclusively and for the first time in France a channel of such an outstanding quality."

The French version of Discovery Channel will be fully language-customized and will feature high-quality productions including docu-drama series, groundbreaking specials, and highlight such genres as investigative documentaries and science and technology. The agreement also grants CANALSATELLITE exclusive rights for ADSL distribution of the Discovery Channel in France.

Launched in 1985, Discovery Channel is the world's most widely distributed television brand, bringing landmark expeditions, breakthrough documentaries and innovative storytelling to more than 425 million viewers around the globe.

CANALSATELLITE will be able to offer their subscribers an unrivalled factual entertainment and documentaries package, which spans 15 channels, including nine with exclusive broadcasting rights. The channels cover the entire range of factual genres, from travel and history, to nature, adventure, exploration, science and technology.

The launch of Discovery Channel on CANALSATELLITE is the first step in an ongoing partnership the two companies intend to build, which will most notably see the launch of other DCI channels in France.

About CANALSATELLITE

CANALSATELLITE is France's premier satellite TV platform with 2.6 million subscriptions to its various offers of thematic channels. CANALSATELLITE comes to the French viewer with a choice of over 260 channels and interactive services. CANALSATELLITE is owned by the CANAL+ Group (66%) and Groupe Lagardere (34%).

About Discovery

Discovery Communications Inc., is the leading global real-world media and entertainment company, which runs 14 unique TV brands. Launched in the US in 1985, the company now operates in 155 countries and territories with more than 950 million cumulative subscribers. DCI also consists of Discovery.com, Discovery Consumer Products and Discovery Channel retail stores. DCI is privately held; ownership consists of four shareholders: Liberty Media Corporation (NYSE:L), Cox Communications, Inc. (NYSE:COX), Advance/Newhouse Communications and John S. Hendricks, the Company's Founder, Chairman and CEO.

    CONTACT: Discovery Communications, Inc.
             In the U.S.:
             Bryan Hughes, 
             
             or
             In the U.K./Europe:
             Virginia Lee,  (mobile)